Bitter Gourd Seeds – F1 Hybrid (Small) (SUMMER)

Bitter Gourd (Momordica charantia), commonly known as Karela or Bitter Melon, is a popular warm-season vegetable widely cultivated throughout Pakistan.

Small F1 Hybrid Bitter Gourd produces compact, green, textured fruits that are particularly suitable for traditional Pakistani cooking.

Its vigorous climbing vines grow well on vertical supports, making it an excellent choice for home kitchen gardens and rooftop grow bag cultivation.

With proper sunlight, watering, balanced nutrition and pollination, plants can provide repeated harvests throughout the growing season.

Key Features

• Botanical Name: Momordica charantia

• Common Name: Bitter Gourd / Small Karela

• Variety: Small F1 Hybrid

• Type: Warm-season climbing vegetable

• Fruits: Small, compact, green and textured

• Flavour: Traditionally bitter

• Growth Habit: Vigorous climbing vine

• Sunlight: Full sun

• Special Features: F1 hybrid, suitable for trellis growing and repeated harvesting

Recommended Grow Bags

G-24 F Grow Bag – 24 × 18 inch – 1 plant.

G-28 F Grow Bag – 28 × 18 inch – 1 plant.

Provide a strong vertical trellis approximately 6–7 feet high to support climbing vines and developing fruits.

Recommended Soil / Potting Mix

50% Bhalu Mitti / Garden Soil + 30% GREEN GARDENS Vermicompost + 20% Cocopeat

Use fertile, loose, organic-rich and well-draining soil. Maintain consistent moisture while preventing waterlogging.

Growing Instructions from Seeds

• Method: Direct sowing preferred

• Sowing Depth: Approximately 2–2.5 cm

• Germination: 7–14 days

• Ideal Temperature: 25–30°C

• Plant Spacing: Approximately 45–60 cm with trellis support

• Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist until germination

Sow 1–2 seeds per planting position and retain the healthiest seedling.

For untreated seeds, soaking in room-temperature water for 6–12 hours before sowing may help soften the seed coat. Follow supplier instructions for treated or coated seeds.

Install trellis support early and guide developing vines upwards.

Sunlight & Watering

Sunlight: Full sun, preferably 6–8 hours daily.

Watering: Water regularly, particularly during flowering and fruiting. Allow excess water to drain freely and avoid prolonged dryness.

Growth & Harvesting

• First Harvest: Approximately 55–75 days after sowing, depending on the hybrid and growing conditions

• Harvesting Season: Summer to early autumn

• Growth Habit: Vigorous climbing and branching vine

• Fruit Type: Small, green, textured bitter gourds

Harvest while fruits are young, green, firm and tender.

Frequent harvesting every 2–4 days during active fruiting can encourage continued production and help maintain fruit quality.

Feeding

Mix GREEN GARDENS Vermicompost into the soil before sowing.

Apply additional vermicompost as needed during growth and fruit development.

Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer, which may encourage excessive leafy growth rather than productive flowering and fruiting.

Pollination & Fruit Development

Bitter gourd produces separate male and female flowers on the same plant.

Bees and other pollinating insects transfer pollen between flowers, supporting healthy fruit development.

Encourage pollinators by maintaining good airflow and avoiding insecticide applications during active pollinator visits.

Hand pollination may be useful where natural pollinator activity is insufficient.

Culinary Uses

Small bitter gourd is suitable for traditional Pakistani dishes, including:

• Stuffed small karela

• Karela fry

• Karela with onions

• Karela qeema

• Traditional homemade vegetable dishes

Its compact size makes it particularly convenient for preparing stuffed karela and individual servings.

Related Products

• GREEN GARDENS Grow Bags – G-24 F & G-28 F

• GREEN GARDENS Vermicompost

• GREEN GARDENS Gardening Products

• Growing Guide Videos – Gardening with Javed Iqbal